Would you drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil? Your home comfort system needs regular maintenance to avoid rising utility bills and to keep problems from arising at the most inconvenient time. Small problems can turn into large problems if not caught in time. Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance. Pre-season maintenance is also important. It can help to avoid a system failure in severe hot or cold weather when you need it most, and it can also keep your energy bill from getting out of control.
WHEN SHOULD I DO MAINTENANCE
- Below you’ll find our Preventative Maintenance Checklist, which is our proven method to keep your system
- For a system that heats and cools: perform maintenance in the spring and fall
- For cooling system maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season
- For furnace maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season.
in top condition and your home in comfort all year round.
OUTDOOR UNITS
- Inspect coil and cabinet – clean as needed
- Clean dirt, leaves and debris from inside cabinet
- Inspect unit for proper refrigerant level and adjust if necessary
- Inspect control box, associated controls/accessories, wiring and connections. Controls may include contactors, relays, circuit boards, capacitors, sump heat and other accessories. All control box and electrical parts should be checked for wear or damage.
- Inspect base pan for restricted drain openings – remove obstructions as necessary
- Inspect fan motor and fan blades for wear and damage – on older models lubricate as needed
- Inspect compressor and associated tubing for damage
INDOOR UNITS
- Check combustion blower housing for lint and debris and clean as necessary
- Inspect evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain lines. Clean as needed
- Inspect for gas leaks in gas furnaces
- Inspect burner assembly – clean and adjust as needed
- Inspect ignition system and safety controls – clean and adjust as needed
- Inspect and clean blower assembly (includes blower housing, blower wheel and motor)
- On older models, lubricate motor and inspect and replace fan belt if needed
- Inspect heat exchanger or heating elements
- Inspect flue system – check for proper attachment to the furnace, any dislocated sections, and for signs of corrosion. Replace if necessary.
- Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
- Clean or replace air filters
- Inspect conditioned airflow system (ductwork) – check for leaks
WHILE YOUR SYSTEM IS OPERATING
- Measure high and low side system pressures
- Monitor gas furnace for correct line and manifold gas pressure – make adjustments as needed
- Measure temperature rise and adjust airflow as needed
- Check vent system for proper operation
- Monitor system for correct line and load volts/amps
- Monitor system operation per manufacturer’s specifications
- Provide system operation report and recommend repairs or replacement as necessary
- Monitor system starting characteristics and capabilities
- Listen for abnormal noise
- Search for source of unusual odors
- Monitor air conditioning and heat pump systems for correct refrigerant charge
- Measure outdoor dry bulb temperature
- Measure indoor dry and wet bulb temperature
- NOTE: Trane recommends all maintenance and service work be performed by a professional air conditioning and heating dealer that holds the appropriate credentials to install and service air conditioning and heating equipment.